The MTR Smit Children’s Haven requires critical community support since its food security crisis has worsened, placing the youth at the shelter in harm’s way.
“MTR Smit only has food until Monday [May 29] to provide for the 78 traumatised and law-enabled children and youth in our care,” Director of MTR Smit Children’s Haven, Tanya Eales, said.
She explained that winter months intensify existing problems as the youth will require extra care during this cold season.
“We have just been informed that the quarterly funding will not be received by the end of May. Our current situation is concerning, and I am compelled to share,” she added.
The lack of consistent funding has negatively affected the efficiency at MTR Smit. There is a looming fuel shortage that will affect the children’s school attendance and from next week onwards, they will not be able to purchase diesel to transport the children to school.
She appealed to the community to assist the Haven in taking care of the children because if this does not happen, the academic progression of the youth at the shelter would be in disarray.
Funding inefficiencies have also affected the MTR Smit staff.
“The staff will not be able to receive a salary on May 25, 2023. The majority of the staff depend on public transport and will most likely not be able to come to work after May 25,” she explained.
- Porridge
- Milk
- Pasta
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Oil
- Spices
- Instant soup
- Tinned beef
- Tinned sardines
- Soup bones
- Vegetables
- Margarine
“I am asking for help from the public, on whom we have always been able to count, to please help the Kinderoord MTR Smit, which has been in operation for the past 100 years.”
Ward 6 councillor, Gert Engelbrecht, stated that donations can be taken to the ward councillor’s office or directly to MTR Smit.
“If people don’t have a way of getting there, I can collect it from them and take it to MTR.”
